London, England

Choosing to go to London right before Christmas was a wonderful decision! The Christmas lights around the city were phenomenal!

Diego and I arrived a day later than the rest of the group (good students not missing class on Friday) early on Saturday morning. We went to Buckingham Palace and saw the changing of the guards... which was really cool. They all came in on horses and there were people everywhere. The British guards wore those typical large fuzzy hats and marched when they weren't standing completely still. It was at Buckingham Palace where we met up with everyone else. From there we walked around the city seeing the Parliament, River Thames, London Bridge, London Castle, Cathedral (can't remember the name), London Eye, etc. That nightlife in London is amazing. Saturday night we went to Piccadily Circus, which is a street and has a huge carnival in the middle of it. We walked around the streets watching various street performers and looking at all the shops and lights. We also went to Oxford Street (similar entertainment) and Trafalgar Square.

We traveled around the city via the underground railway. We got a two day pass for only 10 pounds and used it a lot.

On Sunday we woke up and had the best breakfast we have ever had at a hostel. Then we went to Camden Market, which is like a huge flea market with thousands of people and lots of good/cheap clothes, bags, miscellaneous items, etc. Then we went to Covent Garden Market which is very similar to Camden Market. That night Diego and I weren't taking the bus back to Luton (1 1/2 hours away from London) until 3 am. So we wandered around the streets of London until we found a good pub and spent the remainder of the evening there. Then we went to the airport and flew home having slept only on the bus. When I got home I went straight to bed. And now I'm up and packing for Spain TOMORROW. I just realized that in three days I'll have been in three different countries! Wow!

Buckingham Palace










The Capitol... I think



and people protesting...





The Parliament




London Eye





London Castle and the ice skating rink!




London Bridge - and no Mom, it did not fall down :)






Piccadilly Circus - the biggest snow globe I've ever seen!





Camden Town (Camden Market)



Cathedral (amazing inside!)

I don't really have any significant news other than trying to get a ton of work done before I leave for holidays and of course a few pubs here and there ;)

I sent my secret santa gifts back home earlier this week. I did this extremely early with fear that the poor family member I had would be left presentless on Christmas. It will be weird not being there for Christmas, but I think I'll get over it when I'm sitting on the beach in the Canary Islands :)

This Saturday I'll be flying to London for the weekend. I'll get back on Monday and then fly to Gran Canaria on Tuesday to begin my three week adventure in Spain. I can't believe how fast time is flying by!